Chapter 3

I really wish I had a heart of stone. Unfortunately, that really just didn't seem to be the case. By the time I was three I had a bit of a reputation already. Or maybe that wasn't unusual considering my last name.

See, everyone had me pegged as a Brothers little girl. Really, I thought these people were just bored and it was easy to gossip about two kids. It wasn't like I meant for it to happen. It started with him helping me to stand up. It progressed to him trying to help me walk, and I noticed him speak slower sometimes. I thought maybe he'd been trying subtly to teach me how to properly speak. A novel since everyone else around me kept using baby talk.

So, it seemed a small thing to show him my thanks in the one way a baby could. When I felt it was time… which by that I mean more and more people were insistent on repeating words at me like crazy people… I opened my mouth and said "Rufus". Accompanied by me grabbing his jacket and tugging with all my weak insistence. That was the start of the rumor mil. Mom had pouted for days. I gave it a week before I said Mom. I promise I didn't take any delight in not saying "Dad" for another three months.

Rufus was just easier. While our Mom obviously loved me, it was exhausting throwing my arms up and giggling for the time she played with me a day. For our Dad I was an arm piece to bring to parties and pretend to be a doting Father. Outside of events he rarely saw me. He did however send plenty of toys, and seemed pleased with how Rufus was "handling" me.

Rufus didn't expect me to smile and coo happily at all times. He was fine if all I did was sit on his lap while he read or did work our Dad assigned him. He became a safe spot. My safe tree in the game of tag I played.

It became worse when I realized he was in for a world of hurt. I recalled more from the game daily and I admit my resolve faltered. If I remembered right Rufus would start trying to do the right thing and try to stop Meteor. I also thought he fought the planet warriors. And was assumed dead from an explosion?

Or at least confirmed dead until a certain "popular" film. Still, hate the film or love it, it took away the uncertainty of his demise and made him wheelchair bound. Whether that was the accident or the weird disease everyone in the film had, I wasn't sure. And that brought up a horrible fear in me.

I had zero clue of knowing which canon world I was in. The original final fantasy seven timeline, where I could happily dodge everything, hopefully, based on muscle memory? Or the remake, where I admit I didn't finish the game but knew the end because I watched others play it. I personally had only gotten to the Aetith being kidnapped and the others getting into the glass building. Which, really Shinra? Way over the top in terms of décor. A whole other level of tacky that I'd thought only Don Corneo could have so easily. Had the original Shinra building been like that?

Although I did miss that random tree in the middle of the… cafeteria/lounge place?

In any case I might have been screwed. Up the creek. Maybe I was going crazy. I don't know really. All I knew was I didn't want to see Rufus hurt. I didn't want to see him grow to the man I knew he would become, trying to go all parent slaying, planet butchering murderer. Who had some last-minute change of heart but what could I do?

My original belief still was valid. Despite the death and pain, long term the planer would be okay… right? The cat dog would somehow procreate and show its progeny a greened over Midgar. And Aerith would be reunited with the spiky black-haired guy. That was happy… enough.

My resolve took another dive when I ran into the damn Ancient. Not her literally, but her Mother. I was now five and definitely letting more and more of my will be known. One thing I somehow hadn't factored into my great plan (the get rich, run-away plan) was that I would rarely be left alone. As soon as I had a grasp on the language the schooling began. And it wasn't that I was smart, it was just that I'd lived the annoyed student life already.

So, folks do you know what you get when you put a twenty-three-year-old into the body of a five-year-old? And yes, it did hit me hard that this year in my old life I'd be turning twenty-four soon, but here…

Anyway nicely put you get chaos. I was eighteen when I died. I hadn't even had a full year of freedom from school and now they expected cooperation? I hadn't even been able to legally drink!

So, you got the girl who tried to run away in a building that you literally couldn't hide in. But I had some luck if I could make it to Rufus in that God awful glass tower monstrosity. None of the Turks or guards would dare go against Rufus, even over our Mom. And Dad didn't care enough to put his foot down. Long live the King and Prince.

Too bad today Rufus just had to be out. I huffed and realized I might be doomed. The. I had the brilliant idea if I could get to Dad's office…

My life was over from that decision. I had my little evil laugh over the ingenious (stupid) plan and took off. Nobody even batted a lash at a kid running through the building anymore. The secretaries would coo and give me candy if they had time, and the men just ignored me even if they grumbled. They didn't know the lack of action President Shinra had with us, but on camera or for an audience… oh nothing was more important than his little girl.

Honestly Machinabridged Shinra was a better Dad. Least he called Rufus "a sweet baby boy" or… something.

My heels were making loud clicks against the marble flooring. It was annoying but I knew better than to go barefoot. Dad would probably have a go if I wasn't fit for the public.

The thing was, all the floors looked the same. Usually I would take the elevator, but I'd seen the Turks who usually caught me meandering so I slipped into a utility closet. My brilliant plan stopped being a plan and more reaction as I slipped into an honest to God's cleaning cart and drew a lab coat over myself.

It wasn't long before someone else came in and wheeled it and me out. I stayed still, especially when I heard the Turk ask if anyone had seen me. Think his name was Vergil or something like that. Poor guy. I did work him hard with my vanishing acts.

"I haven't seen the Miss, no." The maid pushing the cart had a timid sort of voice.

"Damn it," Virgil cursed angrily. I almost felt bad.

"Children will be children," the maid chuckled.

"Yeah, I know. But does she have to act like a brat on my shifts?"

"I'm certain you'll find her. Besides, there isn't anywhere safer than here. None would dare harm the Presidents daughter in his own backyard."

Virgil snorted and I resisted the urge to burst out laughing. Clearly Virgil knew as well the dangers in Shinra tower. Least of all if a certain had scientist had made his home and started his twisted experiments.

The maid wheeled me away and went through a door. I took the opportunity to roll on out from under the cart and underneath a bed. Plan A, hide in this random room until the maid was gone and then make a dashing escape. This was how much I hated schoolwork.

I didn't make a sound but, neither had the other occupant of the room. So, I didn't realize before my tuck and roll that a pair of curious green eyes flitted in my direction and had seen me. To the end of my damn days, I would never know why she didn't make a sound.

Maybe… she was lonely. It seemed such a wrong thing to think in regards to the half Cetra. Either way when the maid left, I breathed easier. Crawling out from beneath the bed, thinking myself quite the little daring explorer, I practically oozed satisfaction.

… until I turned and saw big green eyes. I yelped, stumbling back and hitting the wire framed bed. The green eyes blinked and the honest to God cutest giggle erupted. I froze. Her brown hair was a bit messy but it was done up in the signature style and she wore that shapeless dress from her childhood in the remake. Tiny arms, too thin, clutched a worn chocobo.

"Oh, damn." I knew who this was of course. I knew she was Aerith, which meant I'd stumbled into her room and now I was screwed.

She was too skinny. Looking at her, I knew she was a bit younger than me, but I knew well what being uncared for looked like. My heart dropped to my stomach as I took her in. Aerith misinterpreted my silence. Further proof she was a good girl, while I…

"Don't be scared! I won't hurt you. I'm Aerith."

I swallowed. My throat was suddenly dry and my whole body felt hot. This was a character from a video game. This was a character the original hinged on. And I knew when… how… why… she was going to die. This child.

Her room was decorated with floral paintings childishly drawn onto the walls. Had they given her any paper to draw with? Or had she had her own rebellion? I didn't doubt either option.

"You know after someone introduces themselves, you do too. That's how introductions work." She pouted at me and I swallowed the little saliva I'd managed to get.

"I'm Sophie." The words were wrenched from my lips and I knew I was being rude.

Damn you, Hojo. Couldn't he see he was barely keeping her healthy, let alone alive? My gut twisted like a serpent and I realized I was going to slightly deviate from my long-term plan. I'd fucked up by running into Aerith. Especially when the next sentence came out of her mouth.

"You know, I haven't seen any other kids in a long time."

Yeah… I was screwed.

End chapter